site.btaJustice Minister Ivanov Confers with European Court of Justice's New President Lenaerts

Justice Minister Ivanov Confers with European Court of Justice's New President Lenaerts

Luxembourg/Sofia, October 10 (BTA) - Justice Minister Hristo
Ivanov conferred in Luxembourg on Friday with the European Court
 of Justice's new President, Koen Lenaerts, Ivanov's Ministry
reported in a press release.

Lenaerts, who was serving as the Court's vice president, assumed
 the presidency from his predecessor Vassilios Skouris on
Thursday, whose term expired.

The hour-long talks focused on the need to invest in the
development of human resources in the legal profession. EU law
training must be increased at Bulgarian law schools and
universities, as well as among the practicing lawyers. Everyone
in the profession should be given the opportunity to develop
their potential, the two agreed. The Bulgarian Justice Ministry
is currently working on reforming legal education, while the
practicing professionals believe there is a need to enhance EU
law training. Koen Lenaerts voiced readiness to assist Bulgaria
in its new position.

President Lenaerts noted that one of the EU's unique
characteristics is that the Member States are learning from each
 other, because each country, regardless of how developed it is,
 can learn something from the others. The European Court of
Justice itself is a unique place, where elite national lawyers
from different countries contribute to the development of EU
law, by creating a bridge between it and the national legal
systems. Koen Lenaerts highly assessed the Bulgarian lawyers who
 work at his Court.

An institution, such as the European Court of Justice, is a
complex organism, which requires capable leadership, Minister
Ivanov noted.
 
Hristo Ivanov attended a Justice and Home Affairs Council in
Luxembourg.